Sligo Rovers

Sligo Rovers' comeback 2-1 triumph against Bala Town in Oswestry last night has put them in pole position to reach the second qualifying round of the ...

Mandroiu, 23, scored 22 goals in 53 league games for the Hoops. First, Matty Smith was sent off in the 66th minute when he and his Riga opponent both clutched at each other’s faces. Derry were then rocked on the double.

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The Illies woman is home for the summer from Oakland University, where she is on a soccer scholarship.

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Sligo Rovers hold a slender advantage going into next week's second leg after they beat Bala Town in their Europa Conference League first round, ...

Referee Jason Barcelo adjudged Pijnaker to have been the last man. Rovers’ New Zealand international Pijnaker failed to make contact with the ball as he attempted to clear Paul Rutherford’s cross. Bala went within inches of finding themselves level on 77 minutes.

Aidan Keena and Max Mata on the mark for Bit O' Red in first leg of qualifier.

Pijnaker was shown red for a last-man challenge after he was caught in possession on 79 minutes, but the away side hung on to claim the win. Mata claimed what proved to be the winner after a bright start to the second half from the Bit O’ Red. His initial effort was deflected out for a corner, but he was perfectly positioned to finish from the resultant set-piece, after Bala failed to clear. New Zealand international Nando Pijnaker would be later shown a red card, and he was also caught out for the opening goal, as he failed to deal with a Bala raid, and Lassana Mendes finished confidently for the home side.

Ahead Bala's first match in this season's UEFA Europa Conference League, we take a closer look at their opponents, Sligo Rovers.

The club tried to re-apply back into the league numerous times and were eventually re-admitted back in 1948. He was appointed as manager in June 2022. After that run, Sligo spent many years in the Irish First Division, but since 2011 have been mainstays in the Premier League. While they have flirted with relegation in recent years, the club appear to be in a good state of stability today. Bala fans will face a trip across the Irish Sea in their first European encounter of the season, as they face Sligo Rovers. After facing off against Larne in the first round of last season’s competition, the Lakesiders will travel south of the border as they look to progress in this season’s edition of the tournament. Sligo Rovers of Ireland will face off against Bala in the first qualifying round of the Europa Conference League.

Sligo Rovers fans celebrate Max Mata scoring their second goal as he celebrates with teammates. Image: Robbie Stephenson/INPHO. IT'S ADVANTAGE SLIGO Rovers ...

Down to 10, Rovers were under pressure at times in the closing stages, but held out to take a 2-1 win into next Thursday’s second leg which takes place at The Showgrounds. From that corner, the 21-year-old squeezed his shot into the corner of the post to put Rovers ahead in front of over 400 fans who made the trip. The visitors looked to be the stronger of the two sides in the final moments of the first-half, and they started the second where they left off as Mata dragged his shot wide on 48 minutes.